A seventh inning rally by Wayne State fell one run short as the Newman Jets held off the Wildcats for a 6-5 win late Sunday afternoon to close play at the Washburn Softball Invitational in Topeka, Kansas.  The Jets are now 7-9 while WSC drops to 1-11.
            The Wildcats scored one run in each of the first two innings.  Freshman Jordyn Rochholz doubled down the left field line and crossed home plate on a Haylee Weber single for a 1-0 lead.
            After Newman scored in the bottom of the first to tie the game, WSC scored again in the second to take a 2-1 lead as Emilee Marth reached on a fielder's choice and later scored stealing home plate.
            The score remained 2-1 until the Jets produced single runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a 3-2 lead and added three more in the sixth for a 6-2 advantage.
            Wayne State rallied in the seventh and came up with three runs on three hits while leaving the tying run on second base.  A bases-loaded walk to pinch-hitter Morgan Beatty scored pinch runner Masyn Bunnell with the first WSC run.  A fielder's choice by Jordyn Klein scored pinch-runner Marth to cut the Newman lead to 6-4 and Rochholz singled to left field bringing home Lauren Laudick (hit by pitch) to make the score 6-5 with two outs.  A ground out with runners on first and second base ended the game as Newman held on for the 6-5 victory.
            Newman held an 8-6 edge in hits over Wayne State.  Rochholz went 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and run scored to lead the 'Cats at the plate.  Annika Manzanares added a double while Weber, Lillie Timm and Mary Krystofiak each singled.
            Junior Sami Felt fired 5 1/3 innings and suffered the pitching loss, allowing eight hits and six runs with three strikeouts.  Senior Callie Carraher worked the final 2/3 innings. 
            Wayne State returns to play next weekend at the William Jewell Triangular in Liberty, Missouri facing Northwest Missouri State and William Jewell.